5 remaining environment workers freed in Butuan

The abduction of seven Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) workers in the southern Philippine province of Agusan del Sur ended Sunday night with the release of the five remaining hostages. Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan said the victims were released at around 7 p.m. to the negotiators headed by National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) regional director Jake Dumagan. “Upon the request of the released DENR personnel, the group immediately proceeded to Barangay Ampayon and there they were met by Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos", Calingasan told GMANews.TV. Calingisan, in a separate interview on dzBB radio, said no ransom was paid for the hostages' release. "Narito na (sila) sa Butuan city. Walang dinemand na ransom (The released victims are already in Butuan city. The kidnappers demanded no ransom.)," he said. The abductors initially freed Emeliano Gatillo Jr. and Efren Sabuero in Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur province last Friday. Sabuero identified the leader of the group that kidnapped them last Wednesday as Leandro “Andot" Behing, younger brother of Luzvimindo Behing, a town councilor in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur who was shot dead by unidentified assailants last July. Released on Sunday were Gabriel Arlan, Rito Espinido, Teofredo Pujadas, Rudy Clar and Eduardo Abogatal. The released DENR workers, looking tired and haggard, were met by their family members. The kidnappers were demanding the government to cancel all forest agreements with commercial loggers in areas where there are presence of indigenous tribes. Calingasan said the abductors made requests to the DENR regarding ancestral domain and community-based projects. The DENR addressed their concerns over a forest management agreement and farming regulations, he added. Despite the release of the hostages, Calingasan said they would still file charges against the abductors. "Sa police side hinahanda namin ang kaso at hinahanda ang complaint sa office ng prosecutor (On our part we are readying a complaint with the prosecutor)," he said. - with Ben Serrano, GMANews.TV